Goathland, near Whitby, North Yorkshire

Mallyan Spout Waterfall

Waterside landscape

Place photograph

7.0

Wildland

1–2 hours

Time

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Cost

Atmospheric

Feel

WoodlandRiversideValleyWalkersPhotographersWildlife lovers

Why it's Wildland

7.0

A roughly 21-metre cascade drops into a wooded ravine above West Beck. It became a draw for visitors to Goathland in the 19th century, when the village grew in popularity as a small spa town.

The appeal is the contrast: a substantial waterfall hidden below Goathland in a steep, shaded beck valley. The approach is part of the experience, but rocky, uneven ground means this is not a casual step-free viewpoint.

Atmospheric · Secluded · Wild

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Goathland, near Whitby, North Yorkshire

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The experience

Allow around 1–2 hours for a walk to the waterfall and back, or choose the longer circular walk via Beck Hole. Expect uneven ground near the beck; no swimming or paddling permission is established by the supplied sources.

Things to do

Walk to Mallyan Spout

Follow the path from Goathland towards West Beck and the waterfall. The final beck-side section is described as rocky and potentially slippery.

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Take the circular walk via Beck Hole

A supplied route account describes a 2.75-mile loop linking Goathland, Mallyan Spout and Beck Hole, with uneven ground near the waterfall.

About 1.5 hours, according to the route source.

Explore Goathland village

The National Park describes Goathland as a place with local history, distinctive character and sheep grazing on the village common.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · Allow around 1–2 hours; exact time depends on start point and conditions.

Quick Escape: waterfall out and back

01
Start from Goathland or the footpath near the Mallyan Spout Hotel, checking parking signs if driving.
02
Follow the path down towards West Beck.
03
Continue carefully along the rocky, uneven beck-side path to view Mallyan Spout.
04
Return by the same way; take particular care if the ground is wet.

Half day · About 1.5 hours for the sourced 2.75-mile circular walk, plus time in the villages; verify route conditions.

Make a Half Day of It: Goathland, the waterfall and Beck Hole

01
Begin in Goathland or at the described roadside start near the Mallyan Spout Hotel, subject to parking signs and availability.
02
Follow the walk down to West Beck and on to Mallyan Spout.
03
Retrace part of the route, continue to Beck Hole, then walk back towards Goathland.
04
Allow extra time for stops and check the route and ground conditions before setting out.

Verified history

The North York Moors National Park says Goathland rose in popularity in the 19th century as a small spa town, with visitors drawn to the 70-foot waterfall, Mallyan Spout. The supplied Tripadvisor page describes the fall as approximately 70 feet (21 metres) and places it above West Beck in a steep, wooded ravine.

Hidden details

The beck-side approach is rough underfoot — The route source describes the path by West Beck as rocky, uneven and potentially slippery—a practical detail to factor into footwear and route choice.

Goathland’s spa-town past — The waterfall was part of Goathland’s draw as a 19th-century mini spa town, rather than being only a modern walking destination.

When to go

· No specific time of day is supported by the supplied sources.

The supplied walk source says the waterfall is more powerful after heavy rainfall. It does not establish particular peak months; wet conditions may also make the uneven path more slippery.

The final beck-side path is described as potentially slippery. Check weather and route conditions before visiting.

The route

ascent: 527 ft according to the route source
surface: Rocky, uneven and potentially slippery near West Beck; other surface details not supplied
distance: 2.75 miles for the described Goathland–Mallyan Spout–Beck Hole circular route
duration: About 1.5 hours according to the route source
difficulty: Moderate, according to the route source
route shape: Circular via Beck Hole; the source recommends clockwise travel
start point: The route source describes starting near the Mallyan Spout Hotel or from Goathland village.
parking start: Limited roadside parking near the Mallyan Spout Hotel is described, with Goathland pay-and-display parking as an alternative. Verify signs and current arrangements.
shorter alternative: Walk from Goathland to the waterfall and return by the same route; distance and duration for this out-and-back are not specified in the supplied evidence.

Mallyan Spout waterfall
West Beck and its wooded ravine
Beck Hole
Goathland village

Worth pairing with

Goathland village

Pair the waterfall walk with time in Goathland; the National Park highlights its history and distinctive village character.

Beck Hole

Included as a stop on the supplied circular walk from Goathland via Mallyan Spout.

What to look for

01
The waterfall dropping into the wooded ravine above West Beck
02
notice how the shaded, rocky beck-side path differs from the village above.

The story

19th-century Goathland as a small spa town

Best time to go

After rainfall for a stronger cascade; check conditions before visiting.

After rainfall, when the waterfall is described as more powerful. Avoid assuming the rocky approach is safe in wet conditions.

How long to spend

1–2 hours

Perfect for

Walkers · Photographers · Wildlife lovers

Before you go

Google Maps

Address

Goathland, Whitby YO22 5AW

Listed hours

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

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Google rating

4.7 · 1,072 reviews

Practical information

Opening & access

A footpath from Goathland reaches the waterfall beside West Beck. The final approach is described as rocky, uneven and potentially slippery. Check local signage and conditions before setting out.

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Parking

A walk source describes limited roadside parking near the Mallyan Spout Hotel and a pay-and-display car park in Goathland. Check signs and current arrangements before parking.

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Toilets

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Food & drink

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Dogs

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Accessibility

The source row says the attraction has no wheelchair-accessible car park or entrance. The described approach includes rocky, uneven and potentially slippery ground; check current access conditions.

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Cost

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Water

River